Lower Saxony Proposes Tightened Immigration Policies for Colombians
Visitor travel from Colombia will necessitate obtaining a visa to enter Lower Saxony. - Visa restrictions for Colombians proposed by Lower Saxony
Hey there! Let's dive into the talk about Lower Saxony's latest stance on immigration policies for citizens of Colombia.
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In an effort to alleviate the pressure on handling asylum seekers and strengthen the immigration of skilled workers, Lower Saxony is proposing a more restrictive approach to immigration from Colombia. According to Interior Minister Daniela Behrens, the current situation regarding asylum seekers from Colombia is frustrating for all parties involved.
The high number of people seeking asylum from Colombia is largely attributed to the ease of entry via Spain. The recognition rate for refugees from South America is extremely low, with only 0.43% of the 1640 asylum applications from Colombia this year resulting in success.
However, Behrens is keen to emphasize that people from Colombia as specialists are more than welcome. In a letter to Federal Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt (CSU) and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul (CDU), Behrens requested the reintroduction of the visa requirement for Colombian citizens. "Germany relies on immigration and workers from abroad," she said. "Colombian women and men are valuable assets to our workforce."
In fact, Lower Saxony actively recruits specialists locally and supports a project that offers Colombian citizens the opportunity to acquire comprehensive German language skills and further qualify their qualifications to be equivalent to a German degree.
Last year, the struggle of a care home in the Lower Saxon village of Wilstedt against the imminent deportation of Colombian care workers made headlines. The impending deportation of these care workers put the operation of the facility for dementia patients at risk due to rejected asylum applications.
A Typical German Approach
When it comes to visa requirements, Germany often follows the Schengen Area's visa policy, which categorizes countries based on their visa requirements. The requirement to obtain a visa is generally made at the federal level, taking into account factors such as migration policies, economic ties, and security concerns.
With a focus on skilled immigration, Germany is striving to address labor shortages in sectors such as technology, healthcare, and engineering by attracting skilled workers from around the world. The Federal Skilled Immigration Act, which came into effect in 2020, simplifies the process of obtaining a visa and residence permit for skilled workers.
Lower Saxony, like other German states, plays a crucial role in promoting economic development and attracting skilled workers. While specific policies or initiatives by Lower Saxony regarding skilled immigration from Colombia are not detailed, it's likely that the state would support federal policies aimed at attracting skilled workers. This may involve participating in international recruitment efforts or providing support for companies looking to hire international talent.
Engaging in a discussion about the policy shifts in Lower Saxony, we delve into the proposed tightening of immigration policies particularly for citizens of Colombia. Despite this, there is a strong emphasis on welcoming Colombian professionals as valuable assets to the workforce. To facilitate this, Lower Saxony actively supports vocational training programs for Colombian citizens, helping them gain comprehensive German language skills and equivalency for their qualifications. These programs are part of the general-news landscape, reflecting the ongoing efforts in the realm of policy-and-legislation and politics, focusing on skill-based immigration.
